Blickwerk’s innovative locating technology is based on coded infrared light. A marker transmits a unique light code, which is captured by a network of high-speed cameras.
These cameras use Blickwerk’s advanced image processing algorithms to detect and decode the marker signals with minimal delay. The combined network of cameras accurately determines the 3D position of each marker with millimeter-level precision.
Thanks to the coded light technology, markers can be detected reliably even in direct sunlight, making this solution ideal for both indoor and outdoor environments. The unique code also allows each marker to be uniquely identified and precisely tracked throughout the 3D measurement volume.
Compared to conventional radio-based RTLS (Real-Time-Location-System), Blickwerk’s optical solution offers:
- Superior accuracy (down to 1 mm)
- Faster tracking (up to 50 position updates per second)
Preliminary Specifications
Marker
Our active infrared markers are available in battery-powered and externally powered versions. Their water-proof and ruggedized design make them suitable for almost all industrial applications.
Sensor
A distributed network of camera-based sensors locate the markers, with image processing handled directly within each sensor. This design ensures minimal latency and reduces the computational load on the application PC.
Key features
- Unique ID programmable through USB
- Adaptive brightness control
- Compact size: 75 × 66 × 35 mm
- Power supply from 5 V to 24 V
- Battery-powered version available
- Water-proof
Key features
- 1.5 megapixel resolution
- 225 frames per second
- 62° × 48° field-of-view
- Power-over-Ethernet (PoE)
- Time until first detection: < 200 ms
- Subsequent detections: up to 50 Hz
- Detection accuracy: ±1 mm*
- Water-proof
* Performance depends on sensor arrangement.
If our off-the-shelf systems don’t meet your needs, don’t worry! We can customize both hardware and software to suit your specific requirements. Simply let us know what you’re looking for, and we’ll deliver a tailored solution.
What We Can Customize
Here are some examples of how we can adapt our technology to meet your specific needs:
Custom Marker Electronics
We can develop fully customized marker hardware, including power, communication, and form factor adaptations—or integrate our technology into your existing electronic systems.
Optics and Image Sensors
Select from a range of optical components and image sensors to optimize field of view, resolution, or spectral sensitivity for your environment.
Hardware and Software Interfaces
Whether you need to support specific communication protocols or electrical interface standards, we can help. From low-level hardware integration to custom APIs, we ensure smooth connectivity with your existing systems.
Mechanical Design
From compact enclosures to ruggedized outdoor systems, we offer custom mechanical solutions that meet the spatial, environmental, or aesthetic needs of your setup.
Applications
Blickwerk’s high-precision 3D location systems open up new possibilities across a wide range of industries. Its robust performance in both indoor and outdoor environments, combined with millimeter-level accuracy and real-time responsiveness, makes it ideal for demanding applications such as:
Robotics & Automation
Enable reliable navigation, object tracking, and interaction for autonomous robots, drones, and AGVs. Perfect for warehouses, factories, and research labs.
Industrial Safety & Monitoring
Track workers and equipment in real time to enhance safety protocols, prevent collisions, and optimize workflows in high-risk industrial settings.
Research and Engineering
Support experiments and prototypes that require exact spatial positioning, such as structural testing, kinematics studies, or hardware-in-the-loop simulations.
Human movement Tracking
Capture detailed human motion for use in animation, biomechanics, sports performance analysis, and immersive AR/VR applications. Whether it's for film production, athletic training, or interactive simulations, Blickwerk delivers precise, low-latency tracking—even in dynamic or outdoor environments.
Application Highlight: AGV Navigation
In today’s automated word, fleets of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are commonly deployed in warehouses to autonomously transport goods to and from their storage location. In such a setting, each AGV of the fleet follows a specific trajectory that is chosen by a central command system. For following it’s course, an AGV must precisely know it’s current position. If the position estimate is just slightly off, then this can lead to collisions with obstacles such as a shelve in a densely packed warehouse.
Traditionally, AGVs are equipped with numerous sensors such as LIDARs, time-of-flight (TOF) or structured light camera systems, in order to facilitate the AGVs to determine their location. Distance measurements from these sensors are then compared to an occupancy map of the warehouse. This map needs to be continuously updated for the AGVs to maintain the capability to localize themselves with high accuracy.
Equipping an entire fleet of AGVs with a multitude of advanced sensor systems can be a costly endeavor. This predicament was one key motivation for the design of Blickwerk’s 3D locating solution: Instead of equipping each AGV with their own suite of sensors, it is sufficient to outfit them with one of our active infrared markers. These markers are small, inexpensive, consume relatively little power, and can be easily customized.
Blickwerk’s intelligent camera sensors are then deployed throughout the warehouse. The sensors recognize the code that is broadcast by each marker, which allows each AGV to be uniquely identified. If a marker is detected by at least two sensors, it’s 3D position can be triangulated with high accuracy.
Thus, instead of mounting a sensor on each AGV, the sensors are mounted in the facility. A single sensor can simultaneously detect and locate a large number of AGVs. This reduces the total number of required sensors, which significantly reduces cost.
The use of Blickwerk’s 3D locating solution also greatly simplifies the system design. The sensor network reliably locates and tracks the 3D position of each marker. No processing of low-level sensor data or cumbersome environment mapping is needed by the user. This streamlines and accelerates the development of new automation solutions.
About Us
Blickwerk is an emerging technology provider based in Germany, focused on high-precision 3D locating systems.
Started by experts with a long track record in 3D sensing and machine vision, we bring decades of experience in real-time tracking, computer vision, and industrial applications. Our mission is to deliver robust, millimeter-accurate solutions that perform reliably—indoors, outdoors, and in dynamic environments.
At Blickwerk, we’re driven by the belief that real-time spatial awareness will power the next wave of innovation in robotics, automation, interactive systems and beyond. We’re here to build the tools that make that future possible.
